Over the last few years, transgender characters have gone from nearly non-existent in TV and film to an increasingly regular part of a number of TV shows. Famous transgender reality TV star, Laverne Cox is making strides as she is now starring in Netflix’s newest series “Orange Is The New Black.”

The comedy series, which was created by “Weeds” creator Jenji Kohan, will center around the character Piper Chapman (Taylor Schillings), a Brooklynite whose life with her fiancé, Larry (Jason Biggs), is torn asunder when her secret, long-term relationship with a drug-runner (Laura Prepon) results in her arrest and placement in a women’s prison.

For her part, Cox stars as Sophia Burset, a transgender inmate who befriends Chapman on her quest to find herself in the kooky culture of their prison home. Other actors in the series include Taryn Manning, Kate Mulgrew, Natasha Lyonne and Pablo Schreiber.

We’re intrigued to see how Cox’s character will develop on camera and we’re definitely interested in seeing how the show develops. Cox isn’t the only transgender star making major moves in the industry.

Watch the trailer for Cox’s new series here and check out some other rising transgender stars below. – nicholas robinson